By Maryjane Perez | 07 June 2024
Via @billieeilish on Instagram
Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is undoubtedly one of the most talented artists of our generation. From kickstarting her career at just thirteen years old with “Ocean Eyes,” to being the youngest headliner of Coachella, to winning her ninth Grammy Award at 22, Eilish is constantly outdoing herself. She consistently pushes creative boundaries and never shies away from vulnerability in her music. Her latest album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, lives up to its name, delivering captivating instrumentals and poignant lyrics while allowing for moments of lightheartedness.
The album opens with “SKINNY,” delving into Eilish’s struggles with self-image and society’s tendency to equate physical appearance (such as weight loss) with happiness. Her voice carries a profound sadness as she sings, “But the old me is still me and maybe the real me / And I think she’s pretty.” The use of strings enhances the sorrowful tone, echoing her experience of getting lost in the pressure and opinions of everyone around her.
The second track, “LUNCH,” takes a surprising turn, shifting to an upbeat tempo and energetic drumbeat. Eilish cheekily expresses her attraction to women, and it is refreshingly fun. Lines like “I could eat that girl for lunch / Yeah, she dances on my tongue / Tastes like she might be the one” create a seductive vibe that showcases a new side to Eilish and her artistry.
“CHIHIRO” is a unique instrumental piece on the album. It immerses listeners into a robotic techno trance using synths and distorted voice effects. The transition from this trippy sound to the aquatic piano melody of “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” highlights Eilish’s impressive creative range. In the latter track, Eilish expresses her feelings about falling in love despite its potential impermanence. Lyrics like “Birds of a feather / We should stick together, I know” and “Might not be forever / But if it’s forever, it’s even better” are delivered with shimmering vocals, capturing the bittersweetness of love.
“WILDFLOWER” takes an acoustic approach, allowing Eilish’s haunting vocals to take center stage. It is a heartbreaking anecdote about a relationship in which she struggles with the lingering presence of her partner’s ex. There is a strong sense of turmoil in lines like “Feels like a fever / Like I’m burning alive / Like a sign / Did I cross the line?” These lyrics are accompanied by a powerful build-up of drums and backup vocals that intensify the depth of her distress.
The sixth track, “THE GREATEST,” is a ballad that is reminiscent of Eilish’s older music. It starts off with gentle guitar plucks and soft whispery vocals that transcend into feverish guitar strums, roaring drums, and beautifully orchestrated strings. Desperate cries erupt from Eilish as she sings “I loved you / And I still do / Just wanted passion from you / Just wanted what I gave you” before falling back into a gentle whisper.
“L’AMOUR DE MA VIE'' introduces a jazzy sound similar to that of Laufey. Eilish explores her vocal range, adopting a deeper and more robust tone compared to her usual style. She makes an interesting stylistic choice at the three and a half minute mark of this song, bringing back a spacey techno beat similar to the one heard on track three. The stark contrast is a bit disarming, but leave it to Eilish to make out of the box choices.
The eighth and ninth tracks on the album, “THE DINER” and “BITTERSUITE,” reintroduce distorted voice effects and circus-like synths adding to the album’s versatility. The sound can be compared to Eilish’s hit song “Bad Guy.” Though there are no lyrical standouts to these tracks, they add to the overall allure of the album.
Eilish closes the album on a strong note with “BLUE.” She calls back to track four with the lyrics “Birds of a feather, now I’m ashamed.” This creates a sense of closure and reflection as she ties together the themes of love and heartache explored throughout the album. By offering a glimpse into her current thoughts and feelings, she establishes a deeper intimacy with listeners.
Overall, the album is brilliantly orchestrated and Eilish shows her ability to remain true to herself while exploring new creative avenues. It is a mixture of all the things we love about her old music with a more mature spin. Every track has something unique to offer listeners. This is an album you don’t want to miss out on, especially if you are a fan of Eilish’s melancholic sound.
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